Making the case for sodding in the fall

Updated Aug 29, 2023
sod truck
Installing sod is a popular service for Grassperson Lawn Care & Landscape in Texas.
Grassperson

Sod is often referred to as an “instant lawn” and it’s easy to see why. If your clients have been struggling with bare spots or maybe more weeds than healthy turf, they might be thinking about starting over with a sod installation project. Laying sod will give them a brand-new lawn without the downtime of growing grass from seed.

While many of your clients might think of springtime for a sod installation project, there are a few good reasons to push for this work in the fall. There’s a misconception that sod must be installed during the primary growing season, but this isn’t the case at all.

Your clients are likely to have more success with their new sod if they opt for an autumn installation.

Why fall?

sodSod is an "instant lawn" for your clients.

There are several reasons why fall makes a great time to install sod.

For one, the temperatures are cooler, but the grass is still growing. In the spring, the days can sometimes still get quite hot—and the scorching summer sun is just around the corner. By installing sod in the fall, you give it lots of time to become established before having to stand up to the harsh summer sun

It’s also noteworthy that fall grass growth is quite different from spring growth. The blades of grass may not grow as quickly but this is a time when roots are actively growing deep into the ground. This uptick in root growth is just what you want when it comes to getting sod established.

Increased rainfall in the fall also means your clients won’t need to irrigate as much. When sod is installed in the late spring or summer, lack of irrigation is often the biggest downfall to the overall success.  If you’re installing sod in the fall, it will also soon be going into a natural state of dormancy, during which it will also require a lot less upkeep to maintain. Clients will not have to water the grass in its state of dormancy since it’s not doing anything.

Sod laying tips

When it comes to your success, those who install sod have had said mixing compost in will help improve the composition of the soil. You’ll also want to apply fertilizer specifically made for freshly laid sod. This will all help to get your client’s sod off to the best start.

Be sure to inform your clients that they’ll need to properly care for the sod as it becomes established. The first few weeks are absolutely critical. Even though it is fall and the temperatures are milder, they will still need to water once or twice daily if it’s not raining.

The goal is obviously for the sod to take root and become established in its new location. Your clients can test out whether sod is taking root by gently pulling up on a corner and seeing if there is any resistance. If it’s been several weeks and the entire piece of sod lifts up, inform your clients that they should get in touch with you so that you can figure out what’s going on.

At the end of the day, you want to help your clients have as much success as possible with their new lawn. Sod is an expensive investment but when it becomes well-established will give your clients instant gratification with their beautiful new lawn.

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